MEET OUR STAFF

	Rev. Grant L. Aaseng Pastor Grant Aaseng accepted the call to serve at Shalom in 2002, bringing a vision of a church committed to making disciples of Jesus, rather than simply "church members".  A native of Minnesota, Pastor Aaseng attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul and was ordained into the ministry of Word and Sacrament in 1983. He served Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Denver and Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church in Salt Lake City prior to his ministry at Shalom. Pastor Aaseng is married and has 2 children. His wife, Ruth, has a Masters degree in music and teaches a number of music classes for young children at Shalom in addition to leading Shalom's Children's Choir.
	Dr. Rollen Halvorson - Pastoral Assistant Pastor Halvorson serves as a part time pastoral assistant to Pastor Aaseng.  His work includes a variety of pastoral responsibilities.  He is a graduate of St. Olaf College, B.A. and Luther Seminary, M, Div. and D. Min.  He also studied at St. John's Seminary, Collegeville. Before "retiring" he served Grace, Belview, Mn., Faith, Spicer, Mn. Zion, Shawano, Wi. and Gloria Dei, Redwood Falls, Mn.  After retiring he has served as an interim pastor at Alberta, Morris(First) Alexandria(First) Starbuck and Benson (Trinity.)  Pastor Halvorson's passion is preaching and teaching the "Good News" of Jesus Christ crucified and risen that we might be saved by grace through faith in the crucified Jewish carpenter.
	Shannon Anderson - Director of Children and Youth Ministries Shannon taught fourth grade for three years and four years in first grade in southwestern Minnesota.  In the summer of 2006, she became a Site Director for “YouthWorks” and led Christian based, mission trips for other youth ministry groups in Martin, South Dakota.  In the fall of 2006, Shannon entered the Children, Youth and Family Ministry program at Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN).   She completed the requirements and received her Master of Arts degree in May 2008.  Shannon believes in a strong relational ministry tied into the spiritual growth of children and youth.
	Ruth Bretheim Aaseng - Choir Director Ruth has a B.A. degree in instrumental music education form St. Olaf College and a M.M., degree with an emphasis on flute performance form Pacific Lutheran University.  She began her career in Stewartville, MN and has had music studios in Northfield, MN, Denver, CO and Salt Lake City, UT.  Ruth maintains a private music studio, offers music classes to young children through Lakes Area Music Makers and directs the Adult Choir at  Shalom.  In addition to being an outstanding flute, and piano soloist she is an excellent accompanist.
	Carol Hedlund - Office Administrator Carol is an Alexandria native currently living on the farm land she grew up on. Carol attended St. Cloud State College earning a BS degree in Physical Education and Biology. Her varied vocations have included 13 years in District 206 as a teacher, aide and substitute teacher, three and a half years as the Recreation Program Coordinator at Knute Nelson Memorial Home and 15 years in Veterinary Medicine. Carol and her husband, Bruce Wollin, became members of Shalom in 2001.